Should I Take Pain Medication Only When I have Pain?

It depends on the type of medications, so some pain medications can be considered rescue medications another can be considered preventive medications so if someone is in chronic pain around the clock then what we typically do is we start them on a pain medication that may last 8-12 hours so you wouldn’t want to take that medication beforehand because you know your pain is chronic and it’s always there. However there’s also breakthrough pain medications that may last two to four hours that you may be able to take as needed so if you know you are be going to church or you are be going to the supermarket or going out on a family dinner and you pain may be elevated from two to four hours that’s when you may take one of these breakthrough pain medications.